Building Community
When the Building Community Program started in 2012, only one service was offered. Today, the Building Community Program offers a variety of services to include a broader population of community members. One of our directors took the time to explain more about what program has to offer the community! When did the Building Community Program […]
Be a Mentor!
Through The Matthews House Mentor Program, we pair youth with adult volunteers in our community to establish mentor-mentee relationships. The purpose of our Mentor Program is to provide additional supports to at-risk youth to help them improve social and emotional development. Mentors provide youth with positive experiences to build strong relationships and instill confidence. […]
English as a Second Language
The basic definition of ESL (English as a Second Language) classes is simple: they are educational programs that provide students with the ability to work with a bilingual teacher to learn English. Because we live in a multicultural community, programs for individuals to learn English are incredibly important for success both economically and socially. […]
Guys & Girls Groups
Our Experiential Education program is one of the wrap-around services offered to participants at The Matthews House, which includes fun, engaging groups for the youth. Two of these are Guys and Girls Groups, which allow youth to participate in organized activities where they can connect with others and grow in areas like self-esteem, perseverance, […]
The CCR Program
The Colorado Community Response (CCR) Program, which is statewide, is implemented in Larimer County through The Matthews House. CCR is a prevention program that works with families originally called into the child welfare system, but ultimately not required to engage in its services. Our CCR staff take on these families in Larimer County as clients, […]
Preparing Participants for Careers
In May 2017, The Matthews House piloted Restaurant Ready, a program through the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation. In addition to teaching students transferable skills, Restaurant Ready prepares participants, 16 to 24 years old, for successful employment in the restaurant industry. “The main goal of Restaurant Ready is to provide our students a […]
Aging Out
How does Foster Care Work? Most people know what foster care is, however not everyone knows how the system works. Due largely in part to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), investigations into child abuse and neglect are able to be carried out by the overseeing agencies within their respective states (foster […]
From Day One
In 2004, The Matthews House didn’t exist, but the idea for the nonprofit was just coming to life. Jerri Schmitz, founder and Executive Director of The Matthews House, had a conversation with a young man in Old Town and learned he was homeless and couch surfing after aging out of foster care. “I actually […]
